American Jewish Committee Testifies on Need for Federal F.E.P.C. Legislation

May 26, 1949

WASHINGTON (May. 25)

Federal legislation to ensure fair employment practices la urgently needed to protect the employment opportunities of more than 50,000,000 Americans who at one time or another face Job discrimination due to racial and religious prejudice, Irving M. Engel, chairman of the American Jewish Committee’s executive committee, today told members of the House labor sub-committee considering the administration’s Fair Employment Practices Bill.

"Most forward-looking businessmen are coming to the conclusion that Federal legislation for fair employment practices is needed," Mr. Engel said, adding that racial and religious prejudice is costing this nation $2,000,000,000 yearly. "The reason behind such a statement is clear. Business consists of two sides of the coin. One is production; the other is consumption. Both suffer when discrimination in employment holds away," Mr. Engel said.

Mr. Engel said that the American Jewish Committee considers the Powell Bill and its companion in the Senate, the McGrath Bill, the most preferable of the fair employment practices bills now pending in Congress. He asked, however, that their wording be amended to include "ancestry" within the definition of discriminatory Practices which should be forbidden.